Views on Spray can quality/ options

[Jupestar]

I'd been keen to see some pictures.

I've used Montana on a lockdown project. Wouldn't do it on a special frame, but I have another commuter I would do it on if I ever got the time( in 15 years maybe!!!)

Gives a fresh look, and a great sense of satisfaction when someone asks where you got it done...

[Martinlee247]

Ok thanks I was trying to use the inset image icon.
Here are some

[Martinlee247]

And this one I enjoyed the most, trying to be creative more than before.

[Jupestar]

They are great. Especially the BMX!

What is that blue Raleigh? Just looked it up and couldn't find it.

[Martinlee247]

And this one was my most challenging to date with all the pivot bearings and bits, but looks ok finished

[Martinlee247]

They are great. Especially the BMX!

What is that blue Raleigh? Just looked it up and couldn't find it.

Hey thanks, yeah I like BMX too, it’s only a cheap bike and was given yeti me so enjoyed the no risk approach.


The Raleigh was an XC trail like this one https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Raleigh-Trail- ... _50555.htm

When I got it the guy said it was a giant, he had painted everything with a thick black paint, including the brakes and discs, cables, gears, wheels etc, it took ages to remove it then I discovered the Raleigh XC decals. Took some getting off fortunately degreaser did most of the hard work for me, I assumed he had painted over the dirt and grease….

[JohnMorgan]

Read an unrelated article re varnishes that may have a application here. Bottom line is modern paint technology is well ahead of what the average Joe might expect, and that as long as you don’t buy cheap crap, the spray paints available today do a remarkable job. If you follow the directions

I’ve had success with Rust-o-Leum (?) spray paint, which are advertised as ‘hobby’ paints.

[Martinlee247]

Read an unrelated article re varnishes that may have a application here. Bottom line is modern paint technology is well ahead of what the average Joe might expect, and that as long as you don’t buy cheap crap, the spray paints available today do a remarkable job. If you follow the directions

I’ve had success with Rust-o-Leum (?) spray paint, which are advertised as ‘hobby’ paints.
53C4F780-C4EC-4DFE-B884-7C91A775CA19.jpeg

Hey thanks John a good point, that said the white tag a long was painted with Lidl rad' paint and went on nice, how long it will last remains to be seen.

That's a nice job done on the grey bike, just need decals now for it, I can do them for you?

[JohnMorgan]

Grey? Blue, surely

My thanks for the offer - do you supply Dawes decals?

Not for the mixte, as it was a rescue from the scrap heap (531 frame & forks - phillistines) and sold on to a nice lady, but for future use.

[Martinlee247]

Grey? Blue, surely

My thanks for the offer - do you supply Dawes decals?

Not for the mixte, as it was a rescue from the scrap heap (531 frame & forks - phillistines) and sold on to a nice lady, but for future use.

Yes both the solid and the outline versions of Dawes, in, I don’t want to use this forum as an advertising tool (it maybe not allowed) so drop me a PM if I can help.
Cheers
Martin

[JohnMorgan]

Love to send a PM, but it does not seem to work

[Martinlee247]

I think I may have been able to send one to you…..

[1942alexander]

Just finished a lovely Holdsworth "Monsoon" in Oyster metallic white and Renault fire red, all done by rattle cans. Gold bands are all brush painted, not stuck on. This will be my last as old age is getting the better of my eyes and hands.

[dmrcycle]

You really need to give Spraybike a try. Its like a powder coat in a can and not like normal car spray cans. The finish is really good and very hard wearing. It doesnt drip and goes on as a kind of dry polymer. You can rub it with a cloth when wet to get a nice finish. Its really unlike any other paint and amazing stuff. Lots aof great colours too. I have tried normal Holts spray and the finish was awful compared to what I got on my lockdown project.

[Dingdong]

I like the look of Spray Bike, it seems a lot like the new, tough acrylic base paints that are available to paint guitars. I suppose like everyone I've tried all the Holts products, but their rattle cans are absolutely useless. You are literally throwing money down the drain. Don't waste your time, they're designed for amateur car repairers who want to match a colour bodge to sell something on. They chip as soon as you look at them!

The other alternative is to go Pro, get yourself a compressor with a good spray head and use professionally mixed car paints. A normal size, domestic garage would suffice. It takes a while to master, and a very well ventilated area, and definitely an excellent mask, but the results are easily as good (if not better) than an old fashioned stove enamel.

Why bike cooperatives, or local groups (or even bigger clubs) don't do this is a mystery to me. Cycling UK should get in on the act, even as a loss leader, recycling/upcycling bike frames it's an eco/marketing win all round. A discount, not for profit, ecological paint service would bring in thousands of new members.

I've priced up a decent set up and it's about £2000 all in. The guy who painted my Mercian said he enjoyed it, though spraying a continuous round surface is a different skillset to painting panels. All in it took him 2hrs, and then I fitted the decals and then a final top coat. He asked me for £100 for two colours, which I'm sure most people would be happy to pay for a good looking, durable finish.